Lake Jennie

How big is Lake Jennie?

How deep is Lake Jennie?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Jennie?

Are there boat launches on Lake Jennie?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Jennie?

A standard survey was conducted at Jennie Lake in 2016 to monitor the fish population. A total of 12 species were sampled in the gill and trap nets or by spring night-time electrofishing. On 6/27/16, the dissolved oxygen concentration was 8.2 mg/l just off the bottom (13'). This indicated that the lake was well mixed and fish could live throughout all depths. Water clarity was poor, with a secchi disk reading of 3.8'. A fishing pier was available to anglers on the south side of the lake at the public access. Curlyleaf Pondweed, an invasive aquatic plant, can be abundant at Jennie Lake, especially in May and June and anglers may need to change tactics to catch fish in the dense submergent vegetation.

Gill nets sampled high numbers of Northern Pike (128) for a catch rate of 21.3/net, which was well above the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie and the highest ever measured at Jennie Lake. Northern Pike were the most abundant fish sampled in the gill nets. The 2014 catch rate was almost three times lower at 7.4/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2016 (n=15) were variable, ranging from 0.5 to 21.3/net with an average of 6.4. Historically, recruitment could be classified as moderate (5-10/net) at Jennie, but in recent years (2000 to 2016, n=6) the average catch rate (11.5/net) was much higher. The average from the 1951 to 1996 time period (n=9) was 3.0, almost four times lower. Gill netted Northern Pike were 15.5 to 31.5 inches long with an average of 21.3. Approximately 12% of the gill net catch was over 26 inches in length. Trap nets sampled Northern Pike up to 33.3 inches in length, further indicating that quality sized fish were present. Northern Pike were age-1 to age-6 with six year classes being present. Age-1 fish were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the gill net aged fish, indicating a strong year class. Age-1, age-2, and age-3, and age-4 fish were well represented, accounting for 95% of the gill net sample and indicated consistent recruitment. Overall growth was moderate to fast. Northern Pike anglers and spearers should expect plenty of action at Jennie Lake. Proposed zone-based changes to northern pike regulations would put Jennie Lake into the North-Central zone where anglers would have expanded northern pike bag limit opportunities. The proposed regulations could take effect no sooner than 2018.

Trap nets sampled low numbers of Black Crappie (27) for a catch rate of 2.7/net. This catch rate was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. The 2014 catch rate was similar at 4.8/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2016 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 41.4/net with an average of 8.7. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie have not been trap netted since the 1991 assessment (15.4/net). Trap netted Black Crappie were 4.1 to 5.6 inches long with an average of 4.7. Gill nets sampled low numbers of Black Crappie (28) for a catch rate of 4.7/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. The 2014 gill net catch rate was also low 0.6/net. Catch rates from 1973 to 2016 (n=14) were variable, ranging from 0.2 to 34.5/net with an average of 7.0. The last substantial gill net catch rate was in 1983 (14.1/net). The last ten catch rates (1986 to 2016) have been below Jennie's historical average (7.0/net). Gill netted Black Crappie were 4.3 to 10.4 inches long with an average of 5.0. Only 1 fish was over 6 inches in length. Black Crappie were age-1 to age-3 with two year classes present. Age-1 fish made up 96% of the gill net sample. Growth was moderate. The apparent decline in Black Crappie abundance, over the last 25 plus years, was of concern and the trend was likely related to competition, forage, and/or predation. Spawning habitat is believed to be sufficient for Black Crappie at Jennie Lake. The last six assessments have all sampled Black Crappie in the 3.5 to 5.9 inch length category, but very few were surviving past that size.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Walleye (16) for a catch rate of 2.7/net, which was below the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie and the second lowest ever measured at Jennie Lake. The 2014 catch rate was the lowest (2.3/net). Catch rates from 1951 to 2016 (n=15), under various stocking regimes, were variable ranging from 2.3 to 16.6/net with an average of 7.8. Gill netted walleye were 12.1 to 25.6 inches long with an average of 22.4. Only two Walleye were under 22 inches in length and indicated a lack of recruitment for a number of years. Fish (trap and gill net) were estimated to be age-2 to age-9 with five year classes present. All year classes were ranked as weak, except 2008, which could be considered moderate in size. Approximately 63% of the gill net catch came from the 2008 year class. Only two of the gill netted fish (13%) matched up with non-stocked year classes. Recruitment from fry (2010, 2012, and 2014), fingerling (2014), and yearling (2012) stockings were all very poor. Natural reproduction also did not contribute significantly between 2009 and 2015. Growth was moderate. Gill net catch rates (2000 to 2007) during the old stocking regime (1,064,000 fry two out of three years) ranged from 3.3 to 11.5/net with an average of 6.8. The current stocking regime (1,064,000 every other year) was initiated in 2008, along with a contingency stocking of fingerlings (1,056 pounds) if the fall electrofishing catch rate fell below 75.0/hr. during fry stocked years. Gill net catch rates during this regime (2012, 2014, and 2016) ranged from 2.3 to 7.9/net with an average of 4.3. A strong young of the year age class, was produced in 2010 (327.0/hr.), but did not show up in either the 2012, 2014, or 2016 assessments. High numbers of predators (Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass) were likely limiting Walleye stocking efforts at Jennie Lake. Clearer water in recent years, has also likely hampered Walleye management efforts, as Walleye typically do better in more turbid conditions. A new Walleye stocking strategy (much larger fall yearlings) will be attempted to reduce predation on stocked fish and provide continued walleye fishing opportunities. Abundant northern pike populations are limiting the walleye fishery on Jennie at this time.

Trap nets sampled moderate numbers of Bluegill (140) for a catch rate of 14.0/net which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled in the trap nets. The 2014 catch rate was very similar at 12.8/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2016 (n=13) were variable, ranging from 0.7 to 105.1/net, with an average of 20.5. In 2016, trap netted Bluegill were 2.4 to 10.98 inches long with an average of 4.6. Approximately 89% of the trap net catch was less than 6 inches in length, indicating a relatively poor size structure with few fish at a size preferred by anglers. However, 7% of the catch was 8.5 inches or longer and several (4) trophy sized (10 inch) fish were sampled. Bluegill were age-1 to age-9 with eight year classes being present. Approximately 70% of the trap net sample was from the 2015 age class, indicating inconsistent recruitment. Growth was fast for young fish.

Electrofishing sampled high numbers (91) of Largemouth Bass for a catch rate 54.6/hr., which was the highest ever recorded at Jennie. The 2014 catch rate was at 24.6/hr. Catch rates from 1991 to 2016 (n=9) were variable, ranging from 1.8 to 54.6/hr. with an average of 24.7. Largemouth Bass were 5.9 to 20.1 inches long with an average of 11.7. Approximately 24% of the catch was 15 inches or longer, a modest amount of larger sized fish preferred by anglers. Largemouth Bass were age-2 to age-11 with ten year classes being present. Age-2 and age-3 fish were well represented, accounting for 74% of the electrofishing sample. Overall, growth was moderate to fast.
Gill nets sampled low numbers of Yellow Perch (30) for a catch rate of 5.0/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. The 2014 catch rate was similar at 3.3/net. Catch rates from 1951 to 2016 (n=15) were variable ranging from 0.6 to 49.5/net with an average of 16.1. Yellow Perch were 5.0 to 9.5 inches long with an average of 6.2. Approximately 17% of the catch was 8.5 inches or longer. Yellow Perch were age-1 to age-4 with four year classes present. Age-1 and age-2 fish accounted for 83% of the gill net aged fish. Yellow Perch were likely an important forage item for many fish species at Jennie Lake.

Trap nets sampled low numbers of Common Carp (14) for a catch rate of 1.4/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. The 2014 catch rate was the same (1.4/net). Historic catch rates (n=15) from 1951 to 2016 were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 17.8/net with an average of 2.3. Trap netted Common Carp were 11.5 to 35.6 inches long with an average of 25.2. Gill nets sampled low numbers of Common Carp (5) for a catch rate of 0.8/net, which was just within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. Historic catch rates were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 5.9/net with an average of 1.9. Gill netted Common Carp were 4.5 to 32.5 inches long with an average of 16.5. Length frequency data indicated that multiple age classes were present.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Black Bullhead (79) for a catch rate of 13.2/net, which was within the normal range for lakes similar to Jennie. The 2014 catch rate was also low at 1.0/net. Historic catch rates from 1973 to 2016 (n=14) were highly variable, ranging from 1.0 to 271.0/net with an average of 58.1. Gill netted fish were 5.7 to 15.4 inches long with an average of 7.2. Approximately 96% of the sample was under 9 inches in length. Trap nets sampled low numbers (10) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 1.0/net which was below the normal range lakes similar to Jennie. In recent years, many area lakes have experienced declines in Black Bullhead abundance and a shift also seems to be occurring at Jennie (2007 to 2016). Since 2007, the average gill net catch rate (6.1/net) was much lower than the average from the 1973 to 2003 time period (78.9/net).

Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

What is the average air temp for Lake Jennie?